A new cargo shipping service, “Water BRT”, went into operation at Guangzhou’s Huangpu Port on January 23rd. The “Water BRT” can ship both domestic and import-export cargoes together, and is expected to bump up the shipping efficiency to about 20 percent in the future.
The “Water BRT” service is launched at Huangpu Port on January 23. [PhotoSouthcn.com]
Thus far, the service is operated in two routes, covering major ports in Pearl River Delta, such as Wu Chong, Dongjiang, and Shatian：
Route 1: Huangpu Customs (Huangpu Old Port)—Huangpu Customs (Shatian)—Shenzhen Shekou Customs
Route 2:Huangpu Customs (Huangpu Old Port)— Huangpu Customs (New Port)——Hong Kong
In the past, domestic and import-export cargoes could not be transported by the same vessel. Shipping companies had to arrange different vessels to transport domestic and import-export cargoes, leading to low space utilization and long shipping period.
To reduce costs and boost the efficiency, the “Water BRT”, which is similar to the BRT service in the city, allows space sharing among different cargoes as well as immediate loading and unloading along the routes.
According to Sinotrans South China, the operator of this service, the “Water BRT” is supported by an O2O platformwith various new technologies, such as, blockchain, IoT and AI. It enables real-time information flow among enterprises, customs and ports, so that people can monitor the loading and uploading situations during the whole shipping process.
Wang Kan, Deputy Director of Huangpu Customs, said the “Water BRT” could facilitate logistics along the Pearl River and activate ports resources in the Pearl River Delta. “To further the integrated development, more terminals and routes will be planned in the future to cover the Greater Bay Area,” he said.
Huangpu District and Guangzhou Development District have been upgrading the Huangpu Port since November last year, aiming to promote headquarter economy, port services, high-end trade and business. And the “Water BRT” service is considered as one of the important moves to develop the high-end shipping services in the port.
Reported by Jasmine Yin, Heather Lu (intern)
Edited by Wing Zhang
